I. F. Csaba

Serum levels of placenta-specific tissue protein 12 (PP12) in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia, diabetes or twins.

SummaryPP12 is one of the recently discovered soluble tissue antigens of the placenta. During normal pregnancy maternal serum PP12 levels rise during the first 18 weeks reaching a mean peak value of 139.9 ± 40.26 μg/l; after that there is a fall to a mean value of 111.9 ± 42.39 μg/l between 28 and 40 weeks. Significantly higher mean serum PP12 levels were found in the third trimester in two high risk pregnancy groups (281.09 ± 117.08 μg/l in pre-eclamptic toxaemia and 203.71 ± 73.77 μg/l in diabetes) while serum PP12 levels remained normal (114.94 ± 58.06 μg/l) in twin pregnancy. The increase of serum PP12 concentration in toxaemia and in diabetes may be of considerable diagnostic significance.

Quantitative serum levels of pregnancy associated α2-globulin in patients with benign and malignant tumours

SummaryPregnancy associated α2-globulin estimations were made in the serum of 100 tumour-cases. This characteristically pregnancy protein could be found in 63 p.c. of the tumour cases. The number of positive sera was higher, than in normal controls. The serum level of pregnancy associated α2-globulin was between 1 and 10 mg p.c. in 34 cases, between 11 and 20 mg p.c. in 19 cases and value above 20 mg p.c. could only be found in 10 patients. This α2-globulin positivity could be seen more frequently in female than in male patients. Role and significance of α2-globulin is discussed.ZusammenfassungSerum-Konzentration des schwangerschafts-assoziierten α2-Globulin (Pregnancy associatedα2-globulin) wurde in den Seren von 100 Patienten mit Tumoren immunologisch bestimmt. Dieses charakteristische Schwangerschaftsproteinhatte bei 63% dieser Krankenisoliert. Die Zahl der positiven Fälle war größer als bei gesunden Frauen und Männern. Der Serum-Spiegel dieses α2-Globulin war zwischen 1 und 10 mg% bei 34, zwischen 11 und 20 mg% bei 19, und über 20 mg% nur bei 10 Patienten. Dieses α2-Globulin war bei Männern weniger häufig positiv als bei Frauen. Die Rolle und die Bedeutung dieses α2-Globulin wurde diskutiert.

Levels of placenta-specific tissue protein 12 (PP12) in serum during normal pregnancy and in patients with trophoblastic tumour

SummaryA sensitive radioimmunoassay method has been developed to measure soluble placental protein 12. Using this method trace amounts of PP12 have also been detected in the sera of healthy non-pregnant subjects (24.0 ± 6.15 μg/l). During normal pregnancy serum PP12 levels rose rapidly reaching a peak value of 139.90 ± 40.26 μg/l at 18 weeks. Serial determinations of PP12 have been made in 31 patients with trophoblastic tumours (16 hydatidiform moles, 10 invasive moles and five choriocarcinomas). It has been found that in patients with hydatidiform and invasive moles its initial values are extremly high (342.9 ± 257.9 μg/l and 279.3 ± 103.1 μg/l, respectively), much exceeding the non-pregnant and normal pregnant values. After evacuation of hydatidiform moles serum-PP12 rapidly fell to the upper limit of normal at 21–28 days, and to normal values at 8–12 weeks after operation. In patients with invasive mole requiring chemotherapy the rate of fall of PP12 level was slower. In patients with choriocarcinoma serum-PP12 levels were moderately raised (59–132 μg/l) and followed the clinical course of the disease. Serum-PP12 levels would seem to be of less value in monitoring patients with trophoblastic tumours than other tumour-markers (hCG, and SP1).

Beta lactoglobulin homologue placental protein 14 (PP14) in serum of patients with trophoblastic disease and non-trophoblastic gynecologic malignancy

SummarySerum levels of beta lactoglobulin homologue placental protein 14 (PP14) were measured by a sensitive radioimmunoassay in various trophoblastic diseases and non-trophoblastic gynecologic malignancies. While trace amounts of protein were detected in sera of non-pregnant subjects (22.3±13.7 μg/l), during first half of normal pregnancy a dramatic rise of serum-PP14 levels was demonstrable with a peak-value at 7th–10th week of gestation, followed by a decline thereafter. Serial determinations of PP14 have been performed in 31 patients with trophoblastic tumour (20 hydatidiform moles, 4 invasive moles and 7 choriocarcinomas). In patients with hydatidiform moles and invasive moles (273.5±106.5μg/l and 162.2±109.6μg/l) respective values before therapy were much exceeding the nonpregnant controls. After therapy there was a rapid decline of the serum-PP14 levels within two weeks. In patients with choriocarcinoma the PP14 values were moderately elevated (66.4±25.7μg/l), and declined following the remission of disease. In 32 gynecological tumours (21 carcinomas of the cervix, 4 endometrial carcinomas, 5 ovarian carcinomas, 2 carcinomas of the vulva) the pretreatment levels were not different to normal controls.

Serum level of pregnancy associatedα2-globulin in patients with spontaneous abortions

SummaryPregnancy associated α2-globulin serum levels have been measured in abortion-cases. In cases of incomplete abortion with placental destruction and missed abortion this α2-globulin level significantly decreased, but no changes could be found when the placenta remained intact. The prognostic value of this pregnancy protein is discussed.ZusammenfassungSchwangerschafts-assoziierten α2-Globulin (Pregnancy associated α2-globulin) Serum-Spiegel wurde bei Abort-Fälle immunologisch bestimmt. Die Konzentration dieses α2-Globulin im Serum war bei Fehlgeburten mit histologisch gestörten Plazenten und bei Missed Aborten signifikant niedriger gegenüber den Fehlgeburten, wo die Plazenten keine Stromadegeneration hatten. Es wird die prognostische Rolle dieses Proteins diskutiert.

The prognosis of the possible foetal and placental complications during delivery by measuring maternal serum levels of pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein (SP1).

SummaryThe correlation between pathological maternal SP1 serum levels and possible foetal complications during delivery was studied. In 1954, SP1 measurements were made in 823 pregnant women between the 32nd and 40th gestational weeks. On the basis of SP1 serum concentrations groups of patients were formed. The results clearly show that pathological SP1 serum concentrations are frequently associated with intrauterine growth retardation of the foetus, imminent intrauterine asphyxia, and cesarean section indicated by foetal distress. The SP1 placental function-test is recommended as a simple, inexpensive screening method for the detection of placental insufficiency.

Placental proteins (SP1, hCG, PP5), and α2-PAG in trophoblastic diseases

Summary455 serial serum samples from 41 patients with trophoblastic tumour were analysed. Pregnancy-specific beta-1 glycoprotein (SP1), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and placental protein 5 (PP5) were measured by specific radioimmunoassay. Pregnancy-associated α2-glycoprotein (α2-PAG) was measured by electroimmunoassay. SP1 and hCG levels were high in 36 and 35 patients respectively; α2-PAG concentration was also high in 29 patients. PP5 was found only in patients with a hydatidiform mole and it disappeared from serum within a few hours of evacuation. SP1 and hCG levels decreased during the course of the treatment but seronegativity was reached only after some months; hCG was still detectable after that and disappeared from the serum more slowly. Both parameters were sensitive indicators of residual tumour activity and indicated the need more effective treatment some months before clinical manifestations of recurrence became evident. In some patients only one of the tumour markers was present during follow-up, indicating the importance of careful monitoring including the measurement of serum SP1 and hCG levels. A positive correlation between α2-PAG and hCG, SP1 and the clinical course was found only in 80% of patients a finding which demonstrates the limited value of α2-PAG measurements.

Serum PP12, PP14, SP1 and hCG values in the 28 days after the LH-surge in patients who do and do not conceive after artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization

SummarySerum levels of PP12 (somatomedin binding protein), PP14 (beta lactoglobulin homologue), Schwangerschaftsprotein 1 (SP1) and of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) were simultaneosly measured in patients being treated for infertility in the 28 days after the LH-surge. PP14 levels were similar in the 14 days after the LH-surge in the patients who conceived when compared with those who did not and a high PP14 level was only indicative of pregnancy at 21 days after the LH-surge. hCG and SP1 levels behaved similarly in pregnant subjects. PP12 levels did not change significantly in the 28-days after the LH-surge.

Placental protein 10 levels in benign and malignant ovarian cyst fluids and pleural exudates

SummaryPlacental protein 10 (PP10) was measured in benign (n = 47) and malignant (n = 10) ovarian cyst fluids and in pleural fluid specimens from 19 patients with pleural metastases of various carcinomas (n = 15) or infectious pleurisy (n = 4). PP10 was found in 9 out of 18 follicular or luteal cyst fluids (range 2.0–42.0 μg/l) and in 24 out of 29 benign ovarian tumours (range 2.6–38.0 μg/l). Nine out of ten malignant ovarian cyst fluids contained detectable PP10 (range 4.0–55.2 μg/l). PP10 was found in all the pleural fluids from 15 patients with metastatic bronchial, pulmonary, breast or pancreatic carcinomas (range 5.1–100.2 μg/l), as well as from four patients with pleurisy (range 5.0–28.6 μg/l). Our results indicate that PP10 is tumour-associated, but not tumour-specific.

Serumspiegel von PP12, PP14, SP1 und hCG bei mit AID, IVF-ET oder GIFT behandelten Patientinnen

ZusammenfassungDie Proteine: PP14 und SP1 haben eine diagnostische Bedeutung, besonders wenn die Patientinnen nach den Fertilisationsversuchen eine protektive hCG-Behandlung bekommen.